It's About The Horse

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4356 Location: Kansas

I'm just starting to get how important it is. If I trust Eclipse, we have a great ride. I'm not nervous, and if I feel her get a little worried, I'm present, feel it the second she goes there, and I help her. I laugh a lot, I realize when she's trying real hard, and make sure she knows I noticed. Lots of praise, carrots, and grazing time. Last night it felt like we were the only two on the planet. We both decided, together, it was time to head back. It was like a switch was flipped and we both just knew. Maybe this is what Brent Graef means by partnership and being with your horse.
Bit invited me to hop on last night. She was rather insistant, and I had to explain how my boney butt would not be very comfortable without some kind of pad. She settled for a great back rub and some t touch. Trusting Gunner means he doesn't get out there and spook because I'm so nervous. Trust has made riding a lot more fun. I mean, sometimes you just have to trust your body knows what to do, your horse is a great horse, and even though sometimes $hit happens, you just have to trust your horse. If your horse is your mirrior, then she'll be feeling the same way. I'm thinking trust is how a horse loves, and it's how we can show our horses the same, in kind.
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"It was once said I should clear my head for one cannot ride a Thoroughbred. Hot they are. And too fast they be. Forever on the fly. But I stayed the course and have no remorse. I love my off the track racehorse!"

jackspark · Member Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 4477 Location: Missouri

Yesterday I was riding Gem and she stopped and raised her head. I watched her for any detail and she flipped her ears back........... I caught it and Clicked and she immediately dropped her head. BIG ONE for both of us. She knew I was with her and I knew she was asking me "is it OK?" She gave it up to me and I gave her the assurance she needed and permission to eat

TRUST is the answer; it's hard to get and easy to lose.
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Nancy

Flying Monkey Trainer

A journey of a thousand miles must
begin with a single step. Lao Tzu

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4356 Location: Kansas

I have a couple of water tanks, plus an automatic waterer, so plenty of places for everyone to drink. Tonight, Hawk asked to have the water in the tank by the shelter changed. Fine. I had to unscrew the hose from the mister, walk down the the hydrant (about 300 feet away) and then walk back up, rinse and refill the tank. After the tank was full, I asked if anyone wanted to be rinsed off.
You might be wondering what this has to do with trust. Every horse out there NEEDED a rinse. I could have gotten a halter and lead and made them all take a bath. Instead, I asked. Gunner said, "Yes please". I rinsed, he rocked, I crooned to him, his eyes closed. It was a very nice bath. Hawk thought about it, and changed his mind. Night before, Eclpse asked. The two nights before that, Shaun and Hawk. So far, Bit isn't too interested. Every time a horse got wet, it was because he or she asked. If a horse declined, he or she stayed dry. They have to trust that I won't lie to them. I has to be the truth every time we are together.
Later, a doe showed up in our pasture. I knew because Gunner and Hawk got tall and started staring. I just had to find the deer, I knew it was out there. I saw it, told the boys "I got this", and walked over to her. I was pretty close. Gunner and Hawk both came running over. Yes, they ran. Gunner's head was pressed right up against mine. Eclipse and Bit wandered over and we all watched the deer make her way away from us. I put myself between the horses and the horse eating deer, big points with the boys. They know I'm going to put myself between them and danger. More trust.
Trust is HUGE with horses. Even more important, trust is huge with me.
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"It was once said I should clear my head for one cannot ride a Thoroughbred. Hot they are. And too fast they be. Forever on the fly. But I stayed the course and have no remorse. I love my off the track racehorse!"

Peeperpuppy · Member Joined: 14 Feb 2009 Posts: 578

Everything's better when you've got the horse's mind in such a way that lead ropes aren't really required. Grandpa always said they were highly over rated, lol.

The funny thing with the word partnership; most of the time humans think the horse needs to partner with the human so that they forget that the horse needs to partner with the horse too. Two way street

When it happens that way, it's a whole new world & it's a good one!
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The ox is slow but the earth is patient.

sebocat · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:33 am Post subject:

Trust and the concept that the horse is my mirror (thanks for reminding me, bit) have been very important this summer.

The two are intwined for me, and since I started to come to terms with that, my relationshhip with Paco has really blossomed.

I never groom with a leadrope unless we aren't home. I always warm them up at liberty first. If I don't have them at liberty, I don't have them or their trust.
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~~Suz

I miss you Bob

jackspark · Member Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 4477 Location: Missouri

Yes, my Gem knows when I have put myself between her and whatever is a threat. When I do this she becomes less concerned and the trust keeps building. Building this same trust under saddle is a real challenge for me; this morning I told her "I'm scared too Gem, and I'm doin' my best to hide it from you and help us both" I don't know if she appreciated my honesty or what but she shouldered more of the load after that and seemed to reach down for her big girl panties! What a great little mare she is

_________________
Nancy

Flying Monkey Trainer

A journey of a thousand miles must
begin with a single step. Lao Tzu